Today, Senator John Boozman announced that he is seeking interns for this upcoming summer in his Washington DC and state offices. 

“This is an important time for our nation.  There are many Arkansas college students who have an interest in government and I can think of nothing better for them than to have the opportunity to learn by serving the people of Arkansas as an intern in my office.  Investing time in these students is what makes America, and Arkansas’s, future bright” said Boozman.   

The Washington intern program emphasizes both practical and educational aspects of working on Capitol Hill from the first-hand perspective.  Interns participate in the daily operation of the Senate office, as well as attending both Committee hearings and watching floor proceedings from the Senate gallery.  Interns will have an opportunity to learn about the legislative process and the federal government by working closely with the legislative, communications and constituent services staff members.  In addition, interns will provide constituents with private tours of the U.S. Capitol Building. 

Students may also apply to serve in one of the state offices where each will have the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about how a Senator’s office provides constituent services, interacts with the community, and serves as a liaison to the Washington, D.C. office.  Interns will work closely with state staff to help individual constituents with casework, such as VA benefits, Social Security issues and Passports.  Senator Boozman has seven state offices to serve the various regions of Arkansas—Lowell, Fort Smith, Mountain Home, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Stuttgart, & El Dorado. 

Interns will be able to receive academic credit for their work if they so choose depending on their college’s requirements for such credit.  Students should know that they are required to receive academic credit if they accept an internship in one of the state offices.  Priority is given to students from Arkansas, or those studying in Arkansas, who have completed at least their sophomore year of college.  The positions are unpaid.  The summer is divided into two sessions in DC—session I (May 29-June 29) and session II (July 2-August 3).  The state offices have one session running from May 29-August 3. 

Interested applicants should visit the webpage, www.boozman.senate.gov and click on the “apply for an internship link.” Deadline to apply for DC is March 2, 2012 and April 1, 2012 for the state.

Questions should be directed to the intern coordinators, Judd Deere, in the DC office at Judd_Deere@Boozman.senate.gov And Stacey Mattingly, in the state at Stacey_Mattingly@Boozman.senate.gov